Services in July
The Sundays in July will be themed “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” Each Sunday will feature a beloved story associated with Jesus. These stories still offer much to inspire and inform our faith and our living today.
Sundays
The service is at 9:30 in person, covid safe.
Childcare provided.
Please bring a reusable water bottle if you have one. And bring some water, in the water bottle or in another container, if you can.
The month of June is being devoted to “There Is A Season.” Gatherings each Sunday provide the opportunity to reflect on this season of transition in the covid pandemic. It will be a time to look back, to notice what we have been going through, and to move forward with intention. Scripture, readings, ritual, and music will be used to guide this time of spiritual healing.
Each Sunday will be themed to one of the ancient elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. This final Sunday of the series, the theme will be water. You may want to bring a journal, notebook or pad to make notes
If you know someone who has been struggling during this time, consider inviting them to church in June. It will be a season for healing the spirit.
The readings and material from the Sunday gathering will be posted at the website the following week and there will be regular posts of music and music videos from Hilton Jones.
Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 9:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC
Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos
There Is a Season: EARTH
Last Sunday was the third in the June series on spiritual healing and comfort in this time of transition in the covid pandemic. It was a bit of a Sunday service and a bit of a mini spiritual retreat. The content is posted at the church website so that you can see what went on and do the guided spiritual reflection on your own if you would like to.
In the post, you can read about the rocks and how they were used to remember and release our grief. It was a very moving experience to watch as people added their rocks to the growing cairn. You are welcome to add to the rock cairn in the sanctuary at church.
https://lakewooducc.org/2021/06/23/sunday-service-6-20-2021/
You can also watch on Facebook or YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfuyL06YcvJ5AZg_1ZJ48Wg
Permaculture Class Meets This Weekend
LUCC will host a permaculture class offered by Koreen Brennan of Grow Permaculture. The class will be at church all day Saturday and Sunday. This is one of the ways the church is fulfilling its Creation Justice Covenant.
New Members
In these challenging times, being part of a church community is more grounding and supportive than ever! The LUCC congregation is so grateful for all of the ways that spiritual support has been offered this past year and beyond. The church would like to officially welcome as members those who are finding a spiritual ‘home’ at LUCC. For those who are interested in considering church membership, there is an orientation session about the mission, identity, history and theology of the church. Please be in contact with Rev. Wells if you would like to consider joining the church. The orientation and the Sunday for joining will then be determined accordingly
From an LUCC Graduate
Hey everyone at Lakewood UCC,
I just wanted to thank you all for the kind words and also for your kindness as people in the time I have known you all. Also, a special thanks to Pastor Kim and Jeff for everything you guys said in the tribute video. Again thank you all very much!
Jullian Ricciardi
Rev. Wells Away
Kim will be away Monday June 28-Saturday July 3 taking care of her grandchildren. If pastoral care is needed, please contact Patti Cooksey at cooksepa@eckerd.edu
The Labyrinth Has Been ‘Groomed’
For those who walk the labyrinth at the church, please know that the labyrinth has been raked and weeded this week. Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.
The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.
Be Part of Reducing AIDS
There is an the increase in HIV/AIDS infections in our area. As a way of responding, Suncoast Hospice has given the church a large supply of condoms to be distributed. They will be placed in the bathrooms at the church. They will also be available in the sanctuary. The church advisors are encouraging the congregation to take some condoms and put them in public bathrooms and workplace bathrooms where they may get picked up by the appropriate population.
So, the next time you are at the church, pick up a few condoms and see that they make their way out into the community!
Being Covid Safe and In Person Worship
Please stay home if you are not feeling well.
Please wear a mask while in the church building. While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending double masking. Please consider wearing two masks to church. Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.
Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.
There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.
Please know that your safety is of primary consideration!
Safe childcare is provided.
Immigration Justice: Action Item
The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program provides a path to safety for Afghans who worked with U.S. forces and who, as a result of that affiliation, suffer direct threats to their safety. These visas have been long delayed. As the U.S. anticipates its final withdrawal of our Armed Forces in September, we know that we cannot simply abandon the Afghans who risked their (and their families’) lives to help us and our allies (think of the U.S. evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War).
Send a message to President Biden today! Urge the administration to provide urgent humanitarian protections, including evacuation for those who have put their lives on the line for our country. Easy, templated, click and send link here from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: https://www.votervoice.net/LIRS/campaigns/85410/respond
Operation Attack Update
The two most recent OA drive thru events were a success! Thank you for Lakewood continuous donations during this trying time. OA is having 4 drive thru dates in the coming months. Those being June 26, July 31, and September 11. Please get these dates out to members of our congregation if they wish to help volunteer. In addition to those dates, OA is also still needing
Donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Remember we still aren’t accepting clothing donations at the moment. Finally, pray for the people in our community who are continuing to be challenged during this difficult time and the volunteers who are trying to ease their burdens. I’m hoping to find a time to stop by Lakewood to pick up any donations.
Thank You,Ian Blair-Catala
Please note that OA is not accepting clothing donations.
Anti Racism Demonstration Schedule Change
After the anti-racism demonstration this Sunday at 5:30, there will be a break in this witness. The demonstrations will resume in September.
Gratitude is express to those who have been part of this meaningful ministry. It provides a needed uplifting message to the community.
Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.
In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.
Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.
Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.
Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.
If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).
The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.
USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:
- Sermon and Reflection Texts
- Music at Lakewood
- Lakewood UCC YouTube Channel
- Lakewood UCC on Twitter
- Lakewood on Facebook
- Lakewood on Instagram
For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.
June Birthdays: Genie Terrell 6/10, Tony Rogers 6/21, Michelle Cloutier 6/21. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern:
Mae Wiggins
Wally LeBlanc whose cat, Francis, died
Sherry Santana
William Owen-Cowan
Jen Degroot
Carolyn Moore
Ann Quinn
Maggie Brizendine
Janet Hall
Teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.
Church Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9:30-noon.
Recent Posts:
- Sunday Service 6.20.2021 June 23, 2021
- Weekly Update 6/16 June 16, 2021
- Sunday Service 6.13.2021 June 16, 2021
- Farewell Recital June 10, 2021
- Weekly Update 6/9 June 9, 2021
- Sunday Service 6.6.2021 June 9, 2021
Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 